Dave Grant Adds Ryan Ludwig and Dionisios “Dennis “Papadatos to Staff
DeKALB, IL ” In wrestling parlance, Northern Illinois University head man Dave Grant scored “two “with the addition of Ryan Ludwig and Dionisios “Dennis “Papadatos as assistant coaches for the Huskie mat staff.
Both young men boast strong wrestling backgrounds and have experience coaching successful programs. Ludwig comes to NIU after two seasons as an assistant coach for Minnesota State University-Mankato while Papadatos joins the staff after balancing several positions out east where he was also serving as the strength and conditioning boss for wrestling at his alma mater, Hofstra University.
“Both Dennis and Ryan are dedicated and motivated individuals who are willing to work hard and help take this program to the next level, “said Grant, whose program was the Mid-American Conference runner-up for the past two seasons and is one of 16 teams invited to participate in the Cliff Keen / National Wrestling Coaches Association Division I National Dual Meet Championships scheduled for Jan. 14-15, 2006.
At MSU-Mankato, Ludwig helped guide the Mavericks to a third-place finish in the NCAA Division II Championships with five All-America placewinners. In addition to working with MSU-Mankato’s wrestlers on technique, he oversaw the Mavericks’ strength and conditioning and was instrumental in helping sign five state champions and an NJCAA runner-up for their most recent recruiting class. Grant expects Ludwig to serve a primary role in the Huskie recruiting efforts as well.
“Ryan brings a great deal of experience to the table. He has helped take MSU-Mankato to a national top three finish and has been instrumental to their success over the last two seasons, “Grant added.
Prior to Mankato, Ludwig spent two years as an assistant at his alma mater, the University of Findlay. As a wrestler, he was a three-time NAIA All-America and was the team’s MVP when the Oilers were the NAIA national runners-up. Ludwig still ranks third on the UF all-time career victory list with 108 triumphs. A former Michigan prep champion, Ludwig earned a bachelor of arts degree in 2000 from Findlay as a double major in psychology and criminal justice. Although he has earned credits toward a juris doctor degree, he is now completing work on a master’s degree in sports administration from MSU-Mankato.
Papadatos worked for the Hofstra wrestling program where he helped the team finish in the top 20 during each of his three seasons. While attending Hofstra, Papadatos was a four-year starter and three-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Division I Academic All-America (1999-2001). He twice qualified for the NCAA Division I Championships (2000, 2001) and his 97 career victories include three wins in the 2000 national meet.
A four-time dean’s list standout, Papadatos graduated from Hofstra in 2000 with a bachelor of science degree in exercise physiology and then completed a master’s in health education from HU in 2002.
“Dennis brings a high amount of energy to the program and has experience as a player and a coach with Hofstra, a premier east coast wrestling school, “Grant said. “He should help us add to our success. ”
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